Difference between revisions of "Android"
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Revision as of 21:56, 13 December 2011
Contents
Overview
Android is an open source operating system for mobile phones, tablet computers, and netbooks developed by Google. Popular mobile devices the utilize the Android operating system are the Motorola Droid (series), Samsung Galaxy (series), and HTC Sensation. Google also released a set of mobile devices with the help of HTC and Samsung, such as the G1, Nexus One, Nexus S, and the newly released Galaxy Nexus. The Android operating system is the the best-selling mobile platform with over 200 million users activated as of November 2011.[1]
Open Sourcing and Ethical Conflicts
The Android Operating System is powerful and accomplishes many technological tasks and benchmarks with relative ease. The release of Android's open source code under a free software licensing system called Apache has allowed third party programmers to manipulate, revise, and innovate new applications for the Android Operating System and Android mobile markets. The open sourcing of Android's operating system lets programmers and developers tweak and make changes to Android's specifications.
While the community of developers working on Android has produced revolutionary applications for Google's growing share in the mobile market, the conflict of ownership and patenting will become more of a problem. For example, the Android OS's ability to hold multi-core processors allows for advanced program capability, storage, and availability. If a developer were to enhance the processing ability of Android 2.2, would Google have a patented share or would the developer have full control and ownership? Third-party developers are beginning to wonder though whether or not their programs and applications will be unique and owned by the creator, or if Google will authorize a policy in which they can patent or control a share of all profits from third party development of Android Operating System programs and applications.
On August 15, 2011, Google acquired Motorola Mobility for 12.5 billion USD. The acquisition included more than 17,000 issued Motorola patents and another 7,000 pending.[2] The sizable portfolio of patents will help protect Google's business from other competitors, such as Apple, and put Google in a position to be on the offensive.[3]
Compatibility, Special Features, and Multi-Tasking
Google Android Operating System's success has been based on the fact that it is seemingly compatible with multiple platforms and able to operate to full capacity seamlessly. The ability of Android OS to multi-task reading pdf documents, safari surfing, music, and bring 4G all while maintaining full capability as a mobile phone is what has made Android so popular and the prime competitor to Apple's iPhone in the smartphone market. The fact that Android is controlled by core libraries programmed in Java allows for a community of developers and programmers to aid Google in maximizing Android's compatibility, usage, multi-tasking and ability to release constant updates and improvements. Because of the release of the source code to several developers, Frank Feinbube, Professor of IT Systems and Engineering at the Hasso Plattner Institute believes:"Android is setting the standard for mobile devices and will only improve with features such as SQLite for relational data storage, Bluetooth and wireless capability, ability to include data sharing between applications, and run multiple core libraries efficiently." [4] pp. 1-23Android features an integrated browser and media support for audio and video in several formats including MPEG4, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, and GIF. The ability to switch between 3G and 4G internet is also an attractive aspect of smartphones containing Android operating systems. It allows users the flexibility to switch between hardcore internet usage, and simple tasks such as checking the weather or e-mail. Overall, Android's many functions and near flawless performance will place it as a software platform and operating system for mobile devices for years to come.
Applications
Android Market
An online software store created by Google in 2008, the Android Market features a variety of applications organized around Apps, Games, Music, Books, and Movies. The market is not open source and the developers of the apps receive 70% of the profit, with the remaining 30% going to carriers and payment processors [5]. Developers in 29 countries may place applications on the market, while users from 131 countries may purchase and use the applications [6].
Ethical Concerns
The Android Market causes a potential security threat for users in that they may purchase applications that contain viruses. In 2011, the application DroidDream was released to the market and this application allowed hackers to access personal information on the infected phones[7]. The market's use of anonymity promotes this type of behavior by decreasing the chance that the hackers will be identified and thus decreasing the chances that the hackers will be held accountable for their actions.
"Patent Wars"
Many smartphone manufacturers use Google's Android technology as the operating system for their devices. As a result, many smartphones currently on the market run very similar, if not identical operating system software. The competitive nature of the smartphone market has led to different software patent owners suing phone manufacturers for infringing on patents via the software that they ship on their phones.
The "open" nature of Android's technology has made Android phone manufacturers easy targets for those looking to gain on patent infringement. Apple, inc. has filed multiple patent infringement claims against Android phone manufacturers. This happened to occur while Android's smartphone marketshare was in a state of rapid growth[8] If these lawsuits begin to gain any traction in the courts, it may set a precedent against open source software because any implementation of the software could potentially be negated by a patent infringement claim in one of the thousands of patents that a smartphone contains.
Version History
| Version Number | Version Name | Released Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Android 1.0 | September 23, 2008 |
| 1.1 | Android 1.1 | February 9, 2009 |
| 1.5 | Cupcake | April 30, 2009 |
| 1.6 | Donut | September 15, 2009 |
| 2.0 | Eclair | October 26, 2009 |
| 2.2 | Froyo | May 20, 2010 |
| 2.3 | Gingerbread | December 6, 2010 |
| 3.0 | Honeycomb | February 22, 2011 |
| 4.0 | Ice Cream Sandwich | October 19, 2011 |
See Also
External Links
- [ http://www.market.android.com Android Market]
Citations and References
- ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/14/android-google-ad-revenue
- ↑ http://www.edn.com/article/519354-Google_and_Motorola_A_match_made_in_patent_heaven_.php
- ↑ http://www.edn.com/article/519354-Google_and_Motorola_A_match_made_in_patent_heaven_.php
- ↑ Feinbube, Frank. "Android: Operating Systems and Middleware." Hasso Plattner Institute, IT Systems and Engineering, 17 November 2011. Web. 11 December 2011.
- ↑ Eric Chu (22 October 2008). "Android Developers Blog: Android Market: Now available for users". Android Developers Blog. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ↑ "Supported locations for merchants". Android Market Help
- ↑ "The Mother Of All Android Malware Has Arrived: Stolen Apps Released To The Market That Root Your Phone, Steal Your Data, And Open Backdoor | Android News, Reviews, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets, Tips, Mods, Videos, Tutorials". Android Police. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204826704577074523539966352.html
